Dammit! Its the stupid Check Engine light

[JSFLY]

My check engine light has come on. I havent changed the engine oil for a while, could that be a reason? I know its probably not my gas cap cuz I make sure its tight every time I fill up.

 

[akshatp]

Heh. Mine *just* came on tonight as I was pulling into work... First time it has come on in my car's history, 137,000 miles.... Hope it isn't a major problem.

 

[Baked]

Self destruct sequence initiated.

 

[moshquerade]

when was the last time you checked or changed the oil?

 

[KK]

go to autozone, get them to pull your codes.

 

[jlee]

Electrical tape. Fixes it every time.

 

[moshquerade]

 

[SketchMaster]

I'm used to looking at mine, It comes on about once a month with a new surprise. It's like christmas all year, but it's only marry for the mechanic.

 

[Rastus]

Originally posted by: KK
go to autozone, get them to pull your codes.

Yep.

 

[JSFLY]

Autozone...
Will they do it for free??

 

[JulesMaximus]

Probably something emissions related.

 

[JSFLY]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
when was the last time you checked or changed the oil?

Its been about 5 months.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: JSFLY

Originally posted by: moshquerade
when was the last time you checked or changed the oil?

Its been about 5 months.

how many miles?

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: JSFLY
Autozone...
Will they do it for free??

Yes.

 

[d3n]

Half the time i see the guys at the local autozone out helping someone put parts on the car.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: JSFLY

Originally posted by: moshquerade
when was the last time you checked or changed the oil?

Its been about 5 months.

how many miles?

Low oil doesn't usually throw a CEL. You would have an oil light for that.

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: JSFLY

Originally posted by: moshquerade
when was the last time you checked or changed the oil?

Its been about 5 months.

how many miles?

Low oil doesn't usually throw a CEL. You would have an oil light for that.

QFT

CEL is usually triggered by something more serious like an O2 sensor or Air Flow Meter gone bad or something..

 

[jme5343]

Meh, mines been on for about 50,000 miles. Still drives fine, gets good mileage, I ignore it...

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: KK
go to autozone, get them to pull your codes.

This is your best bet.

I've had mine on for about a year now. I read my manual. on means I'm probably having some efficiency and/or emissions issues. Could even be a bad sensor (like an oxygen sensor).

Nothing that is going to kill my engine. That's why i havn't even bothered with autozone. My fuel efficiency also isn't that bad. It seems like I'm getting slightly worse fuel economy, but whenever I do a long range drive, that is my test. I get as good of fuel economy as I ever have.

My manual also says that a blinking check engine light is bad. It didn't give specfifics, but that is the "oh cr@p" warning.

I suggest you read your manual.

 

[SoftwareEng]

but who checks the check engine light?!

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: JSFLY
My check engine light has come on. I havent changed the engine oil for a while, could that be a reason? I know its probably not my gas cap cuz I make sure its tight every time I fill up.

You + AutoZone + Free diagnostics = :thumbsup:

 

[Wuffsunie]

I hate those fvcking things.

Mine does it on a fairly regular basis. So far it's been fuel system sensor, onboard computer, and one of my O2 sensors. I have no idea what it's bitching about currently.

Will have to check Autozone if they do it for free. I wish car manufacturer's would just make it a USB interface or something so you could do it at home, but lord knows they won't because it'd cut into the tidy profit they make on the damned things. I agree with SketchMaster's sentiment, they should just rename it the "Pay your mechanic money" light.

 

[Kalvin00]

i just love how people are so reluctant to spend a little money on maintenance and repairs. then it bites them in the ass down the road

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: Kalvin00
i just love how people are so reluctant to spend a little money on maintenance and repairs. then it bites them in the ass down the road

Yup, if I did all the recomended mainteneance on my truck, I'd probably have paid $4,000 in bills by now. Even if something does happen to my truck, it won't cost $4K.

All I'ev done for the past 70K miles is change my oil about 10 times. Runs as good as ever. My biggest complaint is that the driver seat is starting to wear out.

EDIT: I do plan on having my truck get he 60K mile service or whatever the big one is. I plan on doing that early next year. Better than burining money for the past 3 years though.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Originally posted by: Wuffsunie
I hate those fvcking things.

Mine does it on a fairly regular basis. So far it's been fuel system sensor, onboard computer, and one of my O2 sensors. I have no idea what it's bitching about currently.

Will have to check Autozone if they do it for free. I wish car manufacturer's would just make it a USB interface or something so you could do it at home, but lord knows they won't because it'd cut into the tidy profit they make on the damned things. I agree with SketchMaster's sentiment, they should just rename it the "Pay your mechanic money" light.

They do have software to do that.